Letter Series R Sauvignon Gris
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 1 to 4 years of vintage release to appreciate its vibrant aromatics and textural freshness.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Seared scallops, roasted pork loin, or creamy goat cheese salads.
✨ Technical Specifications
Brancott Estate holds a legendary place in New Zealand's viticultural history, having planted the very first Sauvignon Blanc vines in Marlborough in 1973. The 'Letter Series' represents the pinnacle of their craft, with each wine designated by a letter reflecting its heritage. The 'R' Sauvignon Gris pays homage to this rare, pink-skinned mutation of Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from premier Marlborough vineyards, this wine is crafted to showcase a richer, more textural side of the region's terroir. Unlike its highly herbaceous cousin, Sauvignon Gris offers lush stone fruit aromas, soft floral notes, and a touch of spice. To build its distinctive mouthfeel, winemakers typically employ partial barrel fermentation in seasoned French oak alongside lees stirring, marrying Marlborough's signature vibrant acidity with a creamy, sophisticated complexity.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1973 by Frank Yukich under Montana Wines, Brancott Estate occupies hallowed ground as the pioneer of commercial viticulture in Marlborough. Against the prevailing mid-century consensus that the South Island was overly cold for grape production, Yukich planted the first vines in the Brancott Valley, followed in 1975 by Sauvignon Blanc cuttings that catalyzed New Zealand's modern wine phenomenon upon their inaugural 1979 release. Set across alluvial gravel, silt loams, and stony terrace soils cooled by maritime Pacific breezes, the estate harnesses diurnal temperature fluctuations that preserve vibrant natural acidity and amplify aromatics. Viticulture adheres strictly to Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand guidelines, supplemented by certified organic blocks. Vinification centers on precision temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation alongside selected barrel fermentation for elevated cuvées. Benchmark expressions include the varietally expressive Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, the oak-textured Letter Series 'B' and 'R' bottlings, and the single-block icon Chosen Rows.
🍇 Grapes
100% Sauvignon Blanc